What do builders have to do about hand-arm vibration?
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 set a daily exposure action value of 2.5 m/s2 A(8) and a daily exposure limit value of 5 m/s2 A(8). Employers must assess the risk, control it, and make sure nobody is exposed above the limit.
The two values and exposure points
The regulations set a daily exposure action value (EAV) of 2.5 m/s2 A(8) for hand-arm vibration and a daily exposure limit value (ELV) of 5 m/s2 A(8). HSE describes the ELV as the most a worker may be exposed to on any one day.
HSE also uses exposure points to make the sums easier. 100 points is the EAV and 400 points is the ELV. Points from each tool add up to a daily total. HSE's free calculator works them out from each tool's vibration level and the trigger time, meaning the time your hands are actually on the tool while it vibrates.
As a rough guide, HSE says regular use of hammer action tools for more than about 15 minutes a day, or some rotary and other action tools for more than about an hour, is likely to be above the EAV. More than about an hour of hammer action, or four hours of rotary tools, is likely to be above the ELV, and sooner if the tool is wrong for the job.
Tools that cause it
HSE lists these as common causes. Regular, frequent use is what matters, because occasional use is unlikely to cause ill health.
- concrete and road breakers, concrete pokers and chipping hammers
- hammer drills
- angle grinders, disc cutters and cut-off saws for stone
- sanders and polishers
- impact wrenches, power hammers, scabblers and needle scalers
Handbook vibration figures can understate what you get on site, so check they match how the tool is really used.
What the law requires of employers
The duties fall on the employer. In outline:
- Assess the risk, using observation of the work, information on how much each tool vibrates and, if needed, measurement. Record the significant findings and review regularly. HSE says not to go more than about two years without checking whether a review is needed.
- At any level, remove the risk at source or, if that is not reasonably practicable, reduce it as far as is reasonably practicable.
- Where exposure is likely to reach or pass the EAV, run a programme of organisational and technical measures to reduce it.
- If anyone goes over the ELV, cut their exposure below it straight away, find out why it happened and change the controls so it cannot happen again.
- Give information, instruction and training where there is a risk to health or exposure is likely to reach the EAV.
HSE says you must also consult trade union safety representatives or employee representatives. You do not need to log exposure every day, but you do need a reasonable estimate of who is exposed and for how long.
Controls that work
HSE gives these examples:
- A different method, such as a breaker on an excavator instead of a hand-held one.
- The right tool: the lowest-vibration one that does the job well. For large holes in brickwork, HSE suggests a diamond-tipped rotary hole cutter rather than a hammer-action bit.
- Maintenance. No blunt chisels, and replace worn grinding wheels, so the job takes less time.
- Shorter spells on the tool, and rotating people where it is in near-constant use.
- Warm and dry clothing. Gloves keep hands warm, but HSE says not to rely on them for vibration protection.
When replacing tools, compare suppliers' vibration figures.
Health surveillance and symptoms
The law requires suitable health surveillance where the risk assessment shows a risk to health, or where workers are likely to be at or above the EAV, if surveillance is appropriate. HSE says basic surveillance can be a regular questionnaire, with positive answers referred to an occupational health provider.
The employer must keep a health record for each person under surveillance and let them see it on reasonable notice. If a doctor tells you in writing that a worker in a listed occupation has hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) or carpal tunnel syndrome, HSE says it is reportable under RIDDOR.
Early symptoms are tingling and numbness in the fingers, not being able to feel things properly, loss of strength in the hands, and fingertips going white and then red and painful in the cold and wet. They can appear after months or years. HSE's message is that HAVS is preventable, but once the damage is done it is permanent.
Sources
- HSE: Hand-arm vibration, employers' responsibilities and legal duties
- HSE: Hand-arm vibration, advice for employers
- HSE: Vibration risk assessment
- HSE: How employers can protect workers from hand-arm vibration
- HSE: The hand-arm vibration exposure calculator
- legislation.gov.uk: Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005